River Festival

        The River Festival will be held August 19, 20, 2011.  The event begins Friday afternoon with signups beginning at 4 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., we will again have a Cajun Shrimp Boil open to the public; tickets will be sold in advance with just 800 meals available. Be sure to purchase your ticket early. We have sold out every year! Prices are $20.00 for adults, Children 12 & under and seniors $10 per plate. Cajun spicy style shrimp boiled with sausage, potatoes and corn!;in addition to the Cajun Shrimp Boil we will also have the Knights of Columbus selling spaghetti dinners for $10 for adults, children 6 & under $5 per plate. 
 
        Great Duck Race will take place at 7:30 p.m.; Boa & the Constrictors, a blues band from Boulder, CO wil begin at 5:30 p.m.Fireworks at dark have been a great success and we will have them again this year. Free Kids games with all the traditional old favorites such as hula hoop contest, egg toss and more will begin at 4 pm.  
 
        Saturday, will be the 9th Annual “Run with the Horses Marathon” to take place across the Wild Horse Loop Tour. The run will begin and end on Expedition Island. This event will also include a ½ Marathonand a 10 K run and will begin at 6 a.m.We had about 208 participants for the Marathon. The event had approximately 600 out of county participants for the entire event. 33 states were represented. Locally, we again drew more from the surrounding area with the addition of the 10 K Run. The Marathon begins and ends in the same location—Expedition Island. Runners proceed through town, on to the Wild Horse Loop Tour and then turn and follow the same route back. There will be aid stations every two miles with water, Poweraid and energy snacks alternating at each station. Many positive comments posted on RunnersWorld.com have increased interest in the race; currently Race Director, Ellen O’Neall is working to continue the Race’s great reputation. We now have the 2011 Marathon posted with active.com.
 
            The “Lucky 13” Horse Poker Run is in its 6^th year with over 65 participants. The “Lucky 13” Poker Run will begin near the Hampton Inn and Suites, up the Wild Horse Loop Tour and the turn west at the top. Riders then follow along the top of the Palisadesgoing only to the 6.5 mile point and then turn around and head back down the road. Beverages and snacks are at each stop. The best Poker hand in the first three places will split the pot. 
 
            The “Extreme Trail Challenge” is now in its 3^rd year. The event takes place just north of EversPark in an open lot. Riders and their horses will navigate a number of “obstacles”, for instance they will go through a “car wash”; drag a tarp around a barrel, cross a teeter-totter bridge etc.  The course is different each year, so if you were in it last year things will change up! Participants are judged on time and on how well their horse goes through each station. The event will be a jackpot with 60% of the entry fee going back to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places. A belt buckle will be given for 1^st! 
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            Free Kids Games will continue on Saturday. Prizes and medals will be given out in each different category. Fun games like watermelon eating contest, egg toss and three legged race will run through out the day.
 
            The “Micro-Brew Garden” will feature just micro-brews and be located under the big Corona tent. Micro-Brew Garden will run Friday night and Saturday. There will also be a number of vendors on hand selling unique jewelry, artwork and other items. Food vendors will be on hand all through the day on Saturday. We still have a few spaces open for artisans  that have unique products, artwork, jewelry and the like.  Vendors booths are just $50 for Friday & Saturday already
 
            Local band JUB will play through out the day on Expedition Island beginning at 11 am.
           
            Dog Fetching Competitions have been very popular and those will again take place. Dogs will participate in a timed fetching event both in the water and on land. Dogs will fetch a stick or ball from the river and then again from land.
 
            Sweetwater Mountain Bike Association will be hosting a Biking on the Green – Poker Run. Participants will start at the Island and travel down the Green Belt collecting cards for a best hand beginning at 9 a.m. The Club is using this as a fundraiser to help with signage, maps, and insurance for the Wilkins Peak Bike Trail system. 
 
            We will be bringing back the Car Show in 2011 on EversPark—so polish up your favorite ride! Cars, trucks, motorcycles…vintage and new are welcome! Car show will begin at 11 a.m.on August 20^th.